Police said a 16-year-old stole the weapon from a family member, then brought it to school Tuesday and gave it to a 15-year-old student.

Police were tipped off about the gun's presence by a parent whose child goes to Spencer County High School and saw the small caliber handgun.

Police said the weapon was not loaded and never used to threaten anyone, but investigators called the situation very serious.

"It doesn't appear as our investigation has led us that there was going to be a school shooting or anything like that, but still, you don't need to have guns on school property and we wanted to act immediately," said Spencer County Sheriff Buddy Stump.

Police picked up both teens at school Wednesday morning and charged them with having a firearm on school property.

The 16-year-old faces an additional charge of theft of a firearm while the 15-year-old is also charged with receiving stolen property.